Young offenders and criminal justice

Locked up and Locked out: Communication is the key

It is estimated that over 70% of young people in the justice system have a communication disability. 

Improving the communication skills of offenders by providing targeted speech and language therapy significantly reduces the risk of re-offending.

There are significant economic costs involved in failing children and young people with speech language and communication difficulties. If problems are not addressed early, the spiral of disadvantage deepens.

The RCSLT is currently calling for the communication needs of young people in the justice pathway to be met in an efficient, adequate and timely way.

The Box: What's it like to be inside?

• The RCSLT present a free e-learning tool bringing together the expertise of speech and language therapists working across the country in the justice sector.

Briefing documents on young offenders with communication difficulties:

• Core briefing                         
• England briefing             
• Northern Ireland briefing            
• Wales briefing 

Further resources and support

• Registered intermediaries
• RCSLT Dossier of Evidence 
• Evidence and resources

Children's Communication Coalition

• Children's Communication Coalition (CCC)

Wales justice coalition

• Wales justice coalition report
• Wales justice coalition report (Welsh language version) 

Scotland communicating justice campaign

• Inaugural meeting of the Communicating Justice Coalition

For more information on the RCSLT young offenders and criminal justice campaigns please contact Claire Moser.